A Puzzle Wrapped In Poison: A Murderously Fun Cozy Caper

by Cora Finch

Murder, Mischief, and Mooney, A Shaggy Sheep dog – A Cozy Mystery with a Canine Twist!Daphne Cole just wanted a fresh start. Trading in lesson plans for lattes, she’s heading home to Tansy Ridge, Vermont, to open her dream bookshop café. But a pit stop in Claybrook to visit her best friend, Linda, takes a deadly turn when Linda’s husband, Hal—a corrupt town official with more enemies than ethics—drops dead at a garden party.

Authorities call it an accident. The town’s gossip guild calls it murder. And when whispers turn into pointed fingers at Daphne and Linda, clearing their names becomes priority number one.

With Linda and Mooney, a mischief-making sheepdog, with a nose for trouble by her side, Daphne unearths a tangled web of Claybrook’s secrets. There’s Richard, a bitter businessman on the brink of ruin; Margaret, an activist who wanted Hal’s shady land deals buried; and Paul, a political rival who had everything to gain from Hal’s demise.

But the deeper she digs, the deadlier the game becomes. Secret meetings, whispered threats, and the shocking discovery that Hal was poisoned, suggest one someone is tying up loose ends. And if Daphne isn’t careful, she might just be next…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Thoroughly enjoyed this little gem of a short story! It takes a very creative author to pack so much into so few pages! Great main character complete with endearing canine sidekick. I'm looking forward to more adventures ...because we know Tansey Ridge is going to be chock full of mysteries waiting to be found and solved!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is a short read but the story was really good and it wasn’t rushed. You will enjoy it."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is well written characters in a fast paced situation. Enough clues to help resolve the mystery without being obvious keeps you interested and looking for the next story!"

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2025

Reviews

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and I wasn't veeeery convinced the killer was the one arrested in the end.
Mooney, the sheepdog could have been a more prominent character; after all, he steals the attention from the cover image (I admit I was tempted to accuse the author of wrong dog breed with this image, but maybe I need to see more sheepdogs :-) )

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me to read and i enjoyed this short story about murder and friends. Daphane Cole is on her back home after her husband has passed away and is going to start a new business that her and her husband had dreamed about for so long. which will be a books store and coffee shop. But before she get there she is going to stop and visit with her best friend from college. But the first night she arrives in Claybrook to visit her best friend's husband Hal is murdered and everyone is trying to make it look like Daphne and Linda had murdered her husband. So Daphne is going to try and find out who is behind the murder. There are lots of suspects as Hal was not well like in town and so it looks like it will take everything for Daphne and Linda to figure it out. They go to the police but the person who is signed to look after the crime does not take anything that Daphne or Linda have to so seriously. So they want to talk with someone else who will listen. When they find the proof for what happened they take to the police to get their help solving this murder. It was very interesting to read and I could not put it down until I finished it.

[G. Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished and it was a good read. Daphne just finished packing up her home and she was leaving to start a new life. Her husband had died one year ago and she felt like she need to move. on her way she stopped in to visit her best friend Linda Thompson. She arrived tired after the long drive but noticed they were having a party. Hal, Linda's husband was note a person that Daphne really liked but she would be good for Linda.
Linda suggested she change into something more appropriate so she did. Everything was going OK, then Hal got up and started to talk but something wasn't right and he dropped his drink, tried to talk but could not get the words out and collapsed. Linda tried to help but to no avail. Ambulance arrived and called it, them police showed up. The party was finished, everyone was questioned and left. The next day, still stuned by the turn
of events Daphne and Linda decided to start digging. I will leave you hear so you can enjoy the search. Got get the book and check out what they ended up finding. Happy reading.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy murder mystery that keeps you totally engaged. Daphne Cole wanted a new start and left teaching to go home to Tansy Ridge, Vermont, to open her bookshop café, something she always wanted to do. But she decided to make a stop over in Claybrook to visit her best friend, Linda. But instead of a peaceful, fun reunion, Linda's husband, Hal, a crooked town official drops dead. Because Daphne and Linda become number one suspects, they, along with Mooney, a mischievous sheepdog by their sides helps with finding clues. With so many secrets someone wants to stay hidden, bad deals, graft and twists and turns can the girls find a murderer before he finds them to shut them up? I highly recommend this book and can't wait for more! I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was free. We written but definitely short. Outside of a few areas where it felt rushed, the story flowed very well. Daphne is moving back home but decides to stop in to visit her friend Linda. Barely in town for long, Linda's husband, who Daphne never cared for, dies suddenly. Poisoned. Not the most ethical of men, it is not surprising that someone killed him, but when all eyes turn to Linda and Daphne as suspects, well, the ladies know they need to find the real killer.

With the help of a stray that takes a liking to Daphne, they'll piece together clues to find who murdered Hal so that Daphne can continue on to her new / old home.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy mystery that held my interest throughout. Daphne Cole wanted a fresh start so she left teaching to go back to Tansy Ridge, Vermont where she plans to open a bookshop cafe. Along the way, she stops in Claybrook to visit her best friend Linda. Instead of a peaceful, fun reunion Linda's husband Hal drops dead during a party at their home. Turns out he was a crooked politician. Daphne never liked him but put up with him for her friend's sake. Daphne and Linda end up being suspects and decide to investigate the murder along with a sheepdog named Mooney. Good, well-written story. I received an ARC copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daphne stops by her best friend Linda's place in Tansy Ridge for a visit. During a party Linda's husband Hal is poisoned. Although the police and everyone else in town, seem to be looking at them suspiciously, they begin to investigate the murder. Daphne also inherits a stray sheep-dog she names Mooney. Can the girls figure out what Hal was doing that someone killed him?

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful heartwarming mystery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thoroughly enjoyed this little gem of a short story! It takes a very creative author to pack so much into so few pages! Great main character complete with endearing canine sidekick. I'm looking forward to more adventures ...because we know Tansey Ridge is going to be chock full of mysteries waiting to be found and solved!

[Kristin Carmack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick and enjoyable read. Good plot about two long time friends solving the murder of Linda's husband.
Daphne is on the way home to pick up the pieces of her life and make a new start. she stops at her friends house just as she and Hal are throwing a big party. This us where all the action begins!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy mystery that was on the shorter side. I was entertained and enjoyed it for the most part. I do think there were times when some of the scenes felt disjointed. Other than that, it was good.

[alice Tileston · Rating 4 out of 5]

kind of short but cute. not real memorable

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novella. It covered a lot in a short story. Motives and suspects that were believable. Add in a stray dog to complete the mix. I would read more stories by Cora Finch.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery story. Even though it was fast, it didn't feel like it was missing content leaving me wondering what I'm missing.